Harbor Police

Harbor Police Sergeant Honored for Rescuing Man From Burning Truck

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:02:04 +0000

A veteran Harbor Police Sergeant was recently recognized by the Burn Institute for his fast action to remove a driver from a burning truck. Sgt. Salvador Colin, a 23-year veteran of the Harbor Police, received the Exceptional Service Award on May 21 at the organization's 36th Annual Spirit of Courage Awards ceremony.

The rescue took place on November 30, 2008. Colin had just finished his beat as a night watch commander around 1 a.m. when he heard tires squeal and watched as the driver lost control of his speeding vehicle. The truck struck a traffic light in the median of 28th Street and Harbor Drive, rolled over several times and landed on its passenger side with the engine on fire.

Sgt. Colin and two female sailors, Navy Gunner's Mate Jennifer Hendricks and her shipmate Victoria Seike, came upon the crash site together and rushed to help. Colin and Hendricks worked together to remove the driver through the vehicle's rear window.

Hendricks and Seike, were also honored for their efforts, receiving the Burn Institute's Spirit of Courage Award.

"These courageous individuals put their own safety aside to help someone they have never met," said James Floros, Burn Institute Executive Director/CEO. "They are heroes in the truest sense."

Every year, the Burn institute honors people who risked their lives to save another from burn injury or death by fire. Recipients include firefighters, law enforcement personnel and citizens who responded to incidents throughout the county. The Burn Institute is a nonprofit health agency dedicated to reducing the number of burn injuries and deaths in San Diego, Imperial and San Bernardino counties through fire and burn prevention education, burn care research and treatment, and burn survivor support services. For more information, please visit www.burninstitute.org.

The San Diego Harbor Police is the law enforcement arm of the Port of San Diego. The department provides law enforcement, marine fire-fighting services, airport services, public safety and Homeland Security throughout the tidelands and San Diego Bay. Harbor Police Officers patrol San Diego International Airport under contract with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

Harbor Police to Begin Enforcement of Oversize Vehicle Ordinance

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Lt. John Forsythe, 619-686-6595) — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:59:20 +0000

Beginning Memorial Day Weekend, the San Diego Harbor Police Department announced they will begin enforcing section 8.09 of the San Diego Unified Port District Code. This ordinance was enacted in February of this year and regulates the parking of oversize vehicles on Shelter Island along with overnight parking of any vehicle on Shelter Island Drive.

The ordinance defines an oversize vehicle as a bus, camping trainer, fifth-wheel trailer, house car, recreational vehicle, slide-in trailer, trailer and/or trailer bus, and/or vehicle greater than 20 feet in length

Under this ordinance, oversize vehicles may park only in designated spaces on Shelter Island Drive and in the parking lots of Shelter Island Shoreline Park, said Lt. John Forsythe. Additionally, the parking of any vehicle along Shelter Island Drive from the 1400 block to Anchorage Lane is prohibited daily between the hours of 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.

Harbor Police Officers Assist in Navy Helicopter Crash Search, Recovery

Wed, 20 May 2009 23:41:46 +0000

Officers with the Port of San Diego's Harbor Police Department were among the first responders following the crash of a U.S. Navy helicopter in the ocean near the Coronado Islands late Tuesday night. Three bodies were recovered from the water and the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy searched throughout the day Wednesday for two others who were onboard at the time of the crash.

"We received the call about 11:56 p.m. Tuesday night of a Navy helicopter down about 14 miles southwest of San Diego near the Coronado Islands," said Lt. Bill Kellerman. "We sent two of our combination fire patrol boats and one of our fast boats to the scene."

The first of the vessels, the fast boat, arrived about 12:28 a.m. and the other boats arrived within 20 minutes. There were five police officers involved altogether. A Customs and Border Patrol agent was also on board one of those vessels.

"When they arrived on scene, there was a debris field from the helicopter and a Coast Guard helicopter was able to spot for them," said Kellerman. "Two of our vessels each recovered a body and there was a third body recovered by either a Coast Guard or Navy vessel. The bodies were all transported to our fast boat."

Kellerman said there was no opportunity for any first aid or CPR attempts on the victims.

"It appeared it was a pretty violent impact," he said. "The bodies were all transported to the Coast Guard Air Station on Harbor Drive around 4 a.m. (Wednesday)."

The two other Harbor Police vessels continued the search alongside the Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Mexican Navy until 5 a.m. Kellerman said.

The crash victims' remains were turned over the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. They were then taken to Balboa Navy Hospital with a Navy escort. Their identities have not been released. Military officials said the downed HH-60 Seahawk helicopter, from Carrier Air Wing 11, had taken off from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz as part of a training exercise before it went into the sea late Tuesday.

For the latest on the search, visit the U.S. Coast Guard San Diego's web site.

Harbor Police Department's Tip-A-Cop to Raise Funds for Special Olympics

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:03:03 +0000

"You've been served," is about to take on a whole new meaning. Each year, the Port of San Diego's Harbor Police Department helps raise money for the San Diego County Special Olympics through the Tip-A-Cop fundraiser. This year's event will take place on Tuesday, April 28, at 5 p.m. at the Boathouse Restaurant at 2040 Harbor Island Drive on Harbor Island.

Harbor Police Officers, in full uniform, will work one night only as Boathouse waiters, for tips. The officers can take a break from their usual routine to talk to the public and service them in a different capacity than traditional law enforcement.

"Usually we're out in the field... we're either writing citations or helping people deal with traumatic situations," said Sgt. Jason Adams, the event's organizer. "When we're here at the restaurant, it's really a good time and a good positive experience for everybody."

Diners can enjoy a 20 percent discount off meals, however alcohol is not included in the discount. The owner of the Boathouse offered to partner with the Harbor Police in the event about six years ago, and as a result, their combined efforts have raised big bucks for the San Diego Special Olympics.

"It's a big event that we have because this event alone raises almost $10,000," said Teresa Contreras, Volunteer Manager with the Special Olympics, San Diego County. "All of the money raised benefits the athletes. The funds pay for year-round competitions, uniforms, practices and food for some 1,200 athletes."

This year's goal is to top the $10,000 mark.

"I would definitely look forward to trying to pass that mark," said Sgt. Adams.

The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 2040 Harbor Island Drive on Harbor Island.

K9 Leads Harbor Police to Drug Bust

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:09:48 +0000

A routine traffic stop ended with a nearly 600 pound marijuana seizure over the weekend. It happened on Sunday around 6:45 p.m. at 1550 Rosecrans Street.

Harbor Police Officer K. Morris and his K9 partner Luke attempted to pull over the driver of a 1995 Jeep Cherokee. The SUV was towing an 18-foot powerboat on a trailer. Morris said the Jeep had a taillight out and the driver failed to make a stop at a stop sign at Shelter Island and Rosecrans Street.

The driver refused to stop, and continued driving slowly for about seven blocks, said Morris. Once the vehicle stopped, the driver, identified as Brualio DeJesus, 31, of Chula Vista, got out of the car.

"He had the door halfway open and started running. Other units responded and set up a perimeter and they finally found him," Morris said. DeJesus was taken into custody.

As part of the routine stop, Luke was brought in to search the vessel and alerted Officer Morris. Inside, police found approximately 589 pounds of marijuana hidden in many areas of the boat.

The passenger in the vehicle, identified as Jacyln Cisneros, 31, was also arrested.

Luke, a 5-year-old black Labrador Retriever, is a three-year veteran of the Harbor Police force. Morris has been with the force for seven years. The two have been partners since December 2005 and routinely work in assisting narcotics enforcement teams across the region.

"It's the best job in the department," Morris said of working with his K9 partner. Morris said Sunday's seizure is the largest in Luke's career.

Port of San Diego Receives $3.5 Million Security Grant

gbatuyon@portofsandiego.org (Dale Frost (619) 686-6222) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:22:38 +0000

The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday, April 8, that it will allocate the Port of San Diego $3.5 million for security improvements around San Diego Bay. The money is part of the $388.6 million in security grants awarded to more than 100 ports and ferry operations across the country.

"The grant money will assist with long term strategies to maintain public safety for everyone around San Diego Bay and the harbor for years to come," said John MacIntyre, Homeland Security Program Manager for the Port of San Diego.

MacIntyre said the funding would likely go toward improving communication around the bayfront, improved physical security measures and providing additional equipment to the Harbor Police, the law enforcement arm of the Port of San Diego.

Port staff is working with Port partners around San Diego Bay to develop a list of qualified projects that address local security requirements. Under the Department of Homeland Security regulations, this money must be used for increased maritime security and implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program.

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential program is part of the Transportation Security Administration's efforts to improve security in the nation's transportation system and provides identification badges for all workers entering secure areas such as marine terminals.

In the past six years, the Port of San Diego has been awarded about $20 million in security grants for cameras, improved lighting and other security features at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, the National City Marine Terminal and the B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal.

More than $26.7 billion will have been provided from 2003 through this year by the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen the United States' ability to prevent, protect, respond and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters or other emergencies.

The Port of San Diego is a public benefit corporation and special government entity. Created in 1963 by an act of the California legislature, the Port manages San Diego harbor and administers the public lands along San Diego Bay. The Port has operated without tax dollars since 1970 and has been responsible for $1.5 billion in public improvements in its five member cities - Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

With a $10.6 billion economic impact on the San Diego Bay region, the Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 16 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, and the leases of 600 tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

Harbor Police Rescue Man, Woman After Van Plunges Into San Diego Bay

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:53:49 +0000

Port of San Diego Harbor Police officers are being hailed as heroes after they rescued a man and woman whose minivan crashed into San Diego Bay. The incident happened Monday, April 6, just before 11 p.m. on Harbor Island.

According to Lt. John Forsythe, witnesses called police to report a vehicle in the water near the Sheraton Hotel. Witnesses said a Dodge Caravan was traveling south on Harbor Island Drive from North Harbor Drive. When the vehicle reached the "T" intersection at the traffic signal, the driver failed to turn left or right, Forsythe said. Instead, the vehicle continued toward the water, striking the curb and launching into the Bay.

Within minutes, Harbor Police officers were at in the water, searching the submerged van for victims. Forsythe called the response of the officers incredible.

"It was absolutely unbelievable. People went in with full gear, partial gear, no gear and took care of business. One of the guys was only in his underwear, wearing a facemask when he went in," said Forsythe. "Luckily it was during shift change so we had twice as many police officers on scene to handle everything from the traffic to getting the bodies out of the water."

A woman, identified as Margaret Johnson, 57, of Vista, was pulled out of the vehicle first from the driver's area. She was unconscious and was not breathing. Divers swam her body to the rocky shoreline where she was pulled safely to shore and officers immediately began CPR. Three to four minutes later, the San Diego Fire Rescue Department and paramedics arrived to continue treating her.

Officers also rescued the woman's husband, Robert Johnson, 62. He was found floating in the rear of the vehicle. He also was unconscious. Divers again swam him to the shore where rescue crews began CPR.

The rocky terrain left officers with some minor cuts and bruises. "Everyone was pretty banged up getting the bodies out of the car," said Forsythe. The estimated water temperature in the bay was 58 degrees.

Both victims were transported to a local area hospital where they were last reported to be in critical but stable condition.

Details of the Bay Rescue

The first two divers to arrive on scene were Cpl. David Marshall and Officer Mike Craig. Officer Craig stripped down to his underwear and dove into the 58 degree water, according to Sgt. Dave Fouser. Marshall followed wearing only a wetsuit and mask. Marshall dove down to the driver's side window and found that it was open. He reached in with his hand and swept the area finding the female driver who was not seat belted in at the time. He pulled her through the window and to the surface, said Fouser. Marshall assisted Craig with swimming her to shore where additional officers were waiting to carry her lifeless body up the rocks and to the grass where CPR was performed by Cpl. Joseph Sharp, Officer Christopher Scheil, and Officer Michael Dye.

Craig and Marshall returned to the vehicle and Marshall began breaking the windows of the vehicle with his window punch. Officer Steven Bailey, in full dive gear, began searching the interior of the vehicle for other victims. Officer Craig shined his dive light into the vehicle and saw a body floating near the rear window. Marshall broke the rear window of the vehicle he reached in to blindly sweep the vehicle and found the man floating in the back.

"Although all members of the dive team are trained to perform in water rescues, I feel it is important to note that for any officer (especially a diver) to knowingly enter 58 degree water at night -- with zero visibility and little to no thermal protection, dive down and reach through a broken window and blindly sweep the area with their hands to rescue a victim and then go back and do it again -- is by any definition heroic," said Fouser.

"All responding officers are to be commended for working as a team and for some, puting themselves at risk to provide a successful outcome to a tragic incident," Fouser added. He said that although both victims are currently listed in critical but stable condition, the five to 10 minutes they spent without oxygen is survivable due to the cold water and hypothermic conditions.

The incident remains under investigation. There were no obvious signs of alcohol being involved but all causes are being investigated, said Forsythe. The van was found upright, but the roof had collapsed, and Forsythe said it most likely landed on its roof and righted itself.

Harbor Police Arrest Man Who Jumped Into San Diego Bay

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:15:00 +0000

A man was pulled from San Diego Bay and arrested over the weekend after jumping off the Broadway Pier. The San Diego Harbor Police Department said the incident took place about 6 p.m. Saturday. It took nine officers, including three divers, to pluck the man from the Bay, said Officer Jeff Geary.

When police arrived, they said the man did not appear to be in distress and he was directed to get out of the Bay using a Pier ladder. Instead, the man swam past the ladder and refused to leave the water, saying he intended to swim to Coronado, said Sgt. Robert Mickschl.

The man stayed in the water for 45 minutes and officers continued to talk with him as he drifted about 3,000 feet with the incoming tide, Mickschl said.

He was taken into custody off the G Street Mole Pier without incident. One officer injured his back attempting to get the man who weighed more than 300 pounds into the police vessel. He was evaluated by paramedics then taken to County Jail.

Harbor Police Corporal Mike Rich Named Officer of the Year

gbatuyon@portofsandiego.org (Glenn Batuyong) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:44:44 +0000

Harbor Police Corporal Mike Rich is selected as the 2009 Harbor Police Officer of the Year. Corporal Rich was chosen from the 145 officers in the organization.
He has served for 22 years and since 2004 has been assigned to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Marine Task Force.

A noteworthy accomplishment by Corporal Rich occurred in July, 2008, and resulted in the largest maritime marijuana seizure in San Diego County.

Corporal Rich received confidential information that a 48-foot vessel carrying narcotics was heading from Mexico to San Diego. When the vessel attempted to clear U.S. Customs, Corporal Rich discovered 203 bales of marijuana hidden in a specially designed compartment. So far, this arrest has resulted in three of the defendants pleading guilty in federal court.

Corporal Rich has served as a department firearms instructor, Harbor Police boat operator, field training officer and dive and rifle team member. He is the chairman for the Area Maritime Law Enforcement Sub Committee.

He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, has received a San Diego Harbor Police Life Saving Award and has obtained a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officer certification.

The Harbor Police Department is the law enforcement arm of the Port of San Diego.

District Attorney’s Office Clears Harbor Police Officers in Fatal Shooting

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:27:23 +0000

The San Diego County District Attorney's office has released the results of an investigation into a fatal shooting in July involving two Harbor Police Department officers.

District Attorney representatives advised the Port of San Diego yesterday, February 26, 2009, that the office has cleared Officers Clyde Williams and Wayne Schmidt of any criminal liability. "Officer Williams's use of deadly force was reasonable under the circumstances, since Officer Schmidt had told him Mr. Hirschfield had gotten possession of one of his guns," District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said in the investigating report.

Steven Paul Hirschfield, 37, died the night of July 19 after jumping into San Diego Bay from a tour boat. The two officers, who were aboard a Harbor Police vessel, were called to help in the rescue. Once on the police vessel, the man "tried to grab for the throttles and gear the boat," according to the District Attorney‘s report. That led to a struggle involving the officers and the man.

"This was such a tragedy for Mr. Hirschfield's loved ones and friends, and our officers and their families," said John Gilmore, a spokesman for the Port of San Diego. "We are grateful to the District Attorney's Office and the San Diego Police Department for conducting comprehensive investigations into this case."

The District Attorney's report is available upon request.